Centering and NLP

In the summer I travelled to london for Eric Robbie's course about sensory acuity (see - Advanced Sensory Acuity Weekend with Eric Robbie | Chris Morris Events). I learnt so much from the experience and in particular I gained a new insight into centering and how useful and important it is to be centered.

As we worked outside in the lovely sunny bright and scented flower gardens on the exercises that Eric set us it soon became crystal clear that being centering altered our sensory acuity. We experienced that we all became much more aware when we were centered and our ability to do certain things was markedly improved. We helped each other become centered which in itself I found really useful as each person required a slightly different adjustment to place them in a centered position (doing this has helped me notice with speed and accuracy when people are or are not centered). I noticed that at the beginning there were marked differences in how aware people were of being centered. Some of us were able to center ourselves pretty accurately and other people needed more assistance. I imagine this was because they had to acquire the information needed so that they could then us it to center themselves correctly. By the end of the session we were more similar in our ability to know when we centered and able to center ourselves with speed and accuracy. I had previously been taught about being centered by a Chinese artist who explained to me that one could not paint well unless one was centered, by a friend who was a black belt, from a healer friend, when I learned Sally Swift's centered riding system and through Paul McKenna's 'Holding one point' technique which has its roots in Aikido. More information before -
Sally Swift founder of Centered Riding Instructor Levels Sally Swift Centered Riding Clinics Clinicians Information Level 1 2 3 4 Upgrading Requirements Find a CR Teacher Coach

YouTube - paulmckennatraining's Channel
Paul McKenna - I CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE - Programme 7 see 39:17.

I am wondering about a few things

what are other people experience of learning 'centering' ?
how would somebody know if they are not centered?
what is a good way to learn?
can you learn on your own?
can you be centered all the time?
can anyone describe how it feels when one is centered?

this might add a grace note

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buzzn_tb2-s]YouTube - Percept Vs. Concept[/ame]

Thankyou Carol.

Co-incidentally, I've been looking at the idea of being ''grounded'' over the last week. I have found myself that I sometimes feel anxious and a little ''out of body'', and this affects my state.

I think being grounded and being centred are similar concepts, so its great to find this extra information.

Hi Steve

That is a interesting point. Can you share some of the information about grounding you have looked at?
In what ways do you think grounding is different or similar to centering?

Hi Carol,

Well I haven't learnt very much to be honest. I think it started when I saw this youtube clip from Steve Andreas.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV3MuZl5Csc]YouTube - Setting Boundaries and Preventing Burnout with NLP - Steve Andreas Client Session[/ame]

Here he talks about personal boundaries and emotions. I haven't replayed the clip today but either he mentions it or the mention of boundaries got me 'googling' when I read a little about being grounded.

I found a lovely bit of hypnotherapy about being grounded which really helps me.

For me, because I have a tendency to be a bit ''all over the place'' and have similar problems to the woman in the youtube clip, this has proved helpful.

Now whether being grounded and centred are just metaphors for the same thing, I'm not sure. I'd be interested to know if there is a difference.

Maybe you 'find your centre', follow it down your legs and then 'root' it, like a plant. I like that image!

Yoga helps too. Reminder to myself- must do yoga again!

A question, Carol- what is the link for you between centreing or being grounded and NLP?

Hi Bufo

Thanks, seeing that classroom in the video reminded me of how lovely it was that we could train in the gardens and how colours, sounds, scents, tastes became more vivid and how I became aware of having other senses.

One thing I got from that video is that perception is a great word

perception |pərˈsep sh ən|
noun
the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses : the normal limits to human perception.
• the state of being or process of becoming aware of something in such a way : the perception of pain.
• a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression : Hollywood's perception of the tastes of the American public | we need to challenge many popular perceptions of old age.
• intuitive understanding and insight : “He wouldn't have accepted,” said my mother with unusual perception.
• Psychology & Zoology the neurophysiological processes, including memory, by which an organism becomes aware of and interprets external stimuli.

I am wondering what is the connection in the video to centering?

Carol wrote:

I am wondering what is the connection in the video to centering?

You must now go perpendicular to your timeline and inquire of your unconscious mind why it hasn't given you an answer (before you saw the video, because time is only an illusory construct!)....

Hi Steve

I am thinking about your question as I should be preparing for a busy week - eek.

To me being grounded and being centered are very different.

When I think of being grounded I have images and feelings (sounds, scents and tastes too) of being earthed, anchored or safely held like a kite.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGaTfGHELV4]YouTube - Let's go fly a Kite[/ame]

re being centered
You wrote
Maybe you 'find your centre', follow it down your legs and then 'root' it, like a plant. I like that image!

For me it is different as when I am centered I can move (like on a horse!) and I feel free, flexible, aware and balanced. The thing that springs to mind is a very stable WEEBLE.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq0OQBdIhsc]YouTube - WEEBLES WORLD COMMERCIAL[/ame]

and this magikal one made me smile deeply....

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaqNqNtJIPc]YouTube - FISHER PRICE TOYS WEEBLES[/ame]

''Weebles wobble but they don't fall dowwwwwn! '' Love it!

Thanks, I'll have a think about it too. At the moment I'm thinking they are both metaphors for something else (1 or 2 things, not sure!). Perhaps its about being at peace with yourself, comfortable with your identity, feeling your own feelings and thinking your own thoughts.

Maybe its congruence (in NLP-speak) or rapport with oneself. Whatever they both are, I want them! I want to be a weeble!